.?JUA6^\ 


tihxaxy  of  Che  trheolojical  ^emmarjp 

PRINCETON  •  NEW  JERSEY 


PRESENTED  BY 

professor  F.   ¥.   Loetscher 


BSI4SO 


BY   THE   STILL   WATERS. 


BY  the: 

STILL 


A  MEDITATION  ON  THE 
TvyENTYTHIRD  P-5ALn 

J.R.niLLER,D.D. 


Nev/York 

T.  Y  Crowe LL  b  Co., 


m^' 


CopvRKiirr,  1897  and  180S, 
Bv  Thomas  Y.  <'I!(i\\  ki.i.  i*i:  Cd.mi'Anv. 


^U^: 


"Whokver  lets  loose  a  sunbeam  in  this  world 
starts  a  Ijeiiediction  among  men.  Whoever  sets 
a  little  lamp  where  its  beam  may  shine  on  even 
a  few  feet  of  sonu^  one's  i>ath  has  done  that 
which  is  worth  while.  (Jod  made  the  sunbeam, 
and  the  candle  was  lighted  a  great  while  ago; 
but  if  in  my  little  book  I  can  bring  the  light 
nearer  to  some  who  will  lie  blesr.ed  and  cheered 
by  it,   that   will   be  enough. 


J.  R.  M. 


rmi.ADKLPHIA. 


The  Lord  is  my  shepherd ;  I  shall  not  want. 

lie  maketh  me  to  lie  down  in  green  imMure.s  : 

He  leadeth  me  beside  the  still  ivaters. 

He  restoreth  my  soul  : 

He  (juideth  me  in  the  paths  of  rtyhleousness  for  his 
name's  sake. 

Yea,  though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of 
death, 

I  will  fear  no  evil;  for  thou  art  with  me: 

Thy  rod  and  thy  staff,  they  comfort  me. 

Thou  preparest  a  table  before  me  in  tJie  pjresence  of  mine 
enemies : 

Thou  hast  anointed  my  head  u'ith  oil ;  my  cup  runneth 
over. 

Surely  goodness  and  mercy  shall  follow  me  all  the  days 
of  my  life : 

And  I  will  dwell  in  the  house  of  tlte  Lord  for  ever. 


With  staff  and  sliooii  T  journey, 

.Vnd  still  lud'orc  mine  eyes 
Tlie  Lord  who  goes  before  nie 

Holds  up  a  radiant  prize. 
And  thouf^h  I  faint  and  falter, 

I  yet  shall  overcome, 
And  win  with  saints  and  anjjels 

The  endless  rest  at  home. 

MAUGAKKT   E.   S.\XriSTKI{. 


It  is  worthy  of  our  tliouu'lit  liow  miicli  ])()()ror 
tlie  world  would  1)0  if  the  little  Twciit y-tliii'd 
Psalm  had  never  been  written.  Think  what  a 
ministry  this  psalm  has  had  these  three  thousand 
years,  as  it  has  gone  \\\)  and  down  the  world, 
singing  itself  into  men's  hearts,  and  hreathiiii;' 
its  quiet  peace  into  their  spirits.  How  many 
sorrows  has  it  comforted!  How  many  tears  has 
it  dried!  IIow  many  })il^M'inis  has  it  lighted 
through  life's  dark  valleys!  Perhaps  no  other 
single  portion  of  the  Pible  —  not  even  the  four- 
teenth of  St.  John's  (Jos})(d  —  is  read  so  often  or 
has  so  wi'ought  itself  into  rcdigious  ('.\|){'rienee. 
It   is   the   children's    psahn,  —  to    many    the    lirst 


6  BY  THE  STILL    WATERS. 

words  of  Holy  Scripture  learned  at  a  mother's 
knee.  Then,  it  is  the  old  people's  psalm ;  oft- 
times,  with  quivering  voice,  it  is  repeated  by 
aged  saints  as  the  night  comes  on.  Then,  all  the 
years  between  youth  and  old  age.  this  psalm  is 
read.  It  is  the  psalm  of  the  sick-room ;  how 
many  sufferers  have  been  quieted  and  comforted 
by  its  Avords  of  assurance  and  peace !  It  is  the 
psalm  for  the  death-bed ;  scarcely  ever  does  a 
Christian  die,  but  these  sweet  words  are  said  or 
sung.  Thousands  of  times  it  has  been  repeated 
by  dying  Christians  themselves,  especially  the 
words  about  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death, 
as  they  passed  into  the  valley.  It  is  the  psalm 
for  the  funeral  service,  read  countless  times 
beside  tlie  coffin  where  a  Christian  sleeps  in 
peace. 

I  cannot  think  of  anything  in  all  the  list  of 
the  world's  achievements  that  I  would  rather 
have  done  than  write  the  Twenty-third  Psalm. 
To  compose  any  sweet  hymn  that  lives,  and 
sings  itself  into  people's  hearts,  giving  cheer,  com- 
fort, or  hope,  nu^king  men  and  A\omen  stronger, 
truer,  and  braver,  is  a  noble  privilege.  It  is  a 
great  thing  to  have  written  "  Eock  of  Ages,  cleft 
for  me,"  "Jesus,  Lover  of  my  soul,"  or  "Xearer, 
my  God,  to  thee ;  "  but,  of  all  hymns  which  have 
been  born  into  this  world,  I  think  I  would  rather 


nV   THE   STILL    WATERS.  7 

have  written  David's  Slieplierd's  Psalm.  I  would 
rather  be  tlie  author  of  this  little  song  than  be 
the  builder  of  the  pyramids.  Earth's  noblest, 
divinest  achievement  is  to  start  songs  in  the 
world's  wintry  air,  to  sing  into  its  weary  hearts 
something  of  heaven's  music.  Not  many  of  us 
will  be  permitted  to  write  a  twenty-third  psalm 
to  bless  men  with  its  strains  of  sweet  i)eace ;  but 
we  may  at  least  make  our  life  a  song,  a  sweet 
hymn  of  peace,  whose  music  shall  gladden,  com- 
fort, and  cheer  weary  pilgrims  as  they  pass  along 
life's  rough  ways. 

It  is  interesting  to  think  of  the  origin  of  this 
psalm.  At  first  thought,  we  might  say  it  was 
written  in  David's  youth,  when  he  was  a  sheplii-rd 
at  Bethlehem.  It  is  full  of  images  and  })ictures 
of  shepherd  life,  wlii(di  might  seem  to  fix  its  date 
in  tlie  author's  early  years.  But  further  thought 
will  show  that  the  psalm  does  not  belong  to  this 
{)(M-i()(l.  It  couhl  not  have  been  written  by  a 
young  man.  It  tells  of  struggles  and  toils,  of 
pain  and  sorrow  endured,  of  dark  valleys  passed 
through.  It  is  a  })s;iliu  of  exi)erience,  —  an  old 
man's  experience,  after  being  le(l  through  many 
a  trying  way  and  tasting  many  a  bitter  eu}).  It 
must  have  been  written  in  David's  old  age,  but 
in   it  he   enshrines  the   memories  of  his  youth. 

We  get  a  practical  suggestion  :  the  experiences 


8  BY   THE  SriLL    WATERS. 

of  the  early  years  make  the  rememhi-ances  of 
life's  later  years.  The  visions  of  youth  become 
the  faiths  and  the  songs  of  ripened  manhood.  If 
you  would  have  an  old  age  made  SAveet  by  mem- 
ory, fill  your  youth-time  with  deeds  of  virtue, 
bravery,  and  beauty,  and  with  dreams  of  purity 
and  peace.  Old  age  is  the  harvest  of  all  the 
years  gone  before. 

"  The  Lord  is  my  shepherd."  Homely  name 
for  God,  you  Avould  say  —  Shepherd.  There  is 
a  story  of  a  great  artist  who  had  been  entertained 
in  some  old  castle,  where  he  received  much  kind- 
ness. As  he  was  about  to  go  away,  he  wished 
to  leave  behind  him  some  token  of  his  gratitvide. 
He  could  find  no  canvas  on  Avhich  to  put  a  pic- 
ture ;  but  taking  a  common  bed-sheet,  the  only 
available  thing,  he  painted  on  it  an  exquisite 
picture,  which  he  left  in  his  room.  So  on  this 
hcnnely,  co)iimon})laee  word,  shepherd,  did  David 
paint  a  matchless  picture  of  God,  putting  into 
it  all  that  he  had  learned  of  God  during  his  life- 
time, and  leaving  it  as  a  memorial  in  the  world. 
No  more  unpoetic  name  could  have  been  chosen ; 
and  yet  a  thousand  years  later,  Jesus  Christ, 
when  he  Avould  leave  Avith  his  disciples  a  revela- 
tion of  his  love  and  care  for  his  OAvn,  called  him- 
self by  the  same  homely  name,  Shepherd  —  the 
Good  Shepherd ;    and  Ave  all  remember  Avhat  pre- 


nr  THE  still  ^'Ateus.  9 

cious  thoughts  he  iixed  upon  tliis  name.  "  lie 
calleth  his  own  sheep  by  name,  and  leadeth  them 
out."  "  When  he  hath  put  forth  all  his  own,  lie 
goeth  before  them,  and  the  sheep  follow  him : 
for  they  know  his  voice."  "  I  am  the  good  shep- 
herd :  the  good  shepherd  layoth  down  his  life  fur 
the  sheep.  ...  I  am  the  good  shepherd  ;  and  I 
know  mine  own,  and  mine  own  know  me." 

In  our  country  we  have  no  shepherds  siich  as 
those  who  tend  the  flocks  in  the  East.  There  the 
pasture  fields  are  wide,  nnfenced,  stretching  for 
miles  and  miles.  There  will  be  patches  of  grass 
here  and  there,  and  then  bald  barren  tracts  glow- 
ing in  the  hot  sun,  broken  by  deep  ravines,  dark 
and  desolate,  where  wild  beasts  have  their  lairs. 
In  such  a  region  sheep  unshepherded  would  soon 
be  lost.  l)Ut  one  never  sees  a  flock  in  that  coun- 
try without  its  shepherd. 

It  was  this  picture  that  was  in  David's  mind 
when  he  wrote  this  Twenty-third  Psalm,  —  a  min- 
gling of  beauty  and  danger.  IJut  as  in  the  Syrian 
wilderness  the  slicpherd  appeared  everywhere 
with  his  flock,  so  in  life's  wilderness  there  is 
always  One  whose  presence  is  an  assurance  of 
safety  and  of  blessing. 

Tlie  Syrian  shepherd  loves  his  flock,  and  lives 
with  them.  He  leads  them  out  by  day  to  hud  tlie 
patclies   of   green  pasture.     l'>y  night  he  watches 


10  BY    THE  STILL    WATERS. 

them,  guarding  them  against  prowling  wild  beasts 
and  against  robbers.  Ofttimes  he  is  wounded  in 
defending  them.  When  one  sheep  wanders,  he 
leaves  the  flock,  and  seeks  the  lost  one  until  he 
finds  it.  AMien  one  faints  by  the  way,  he  gathers 
it  in  his  arms,  and  carries  it  in  his  bosom.  As  we 
study  the  ways  of  the  Eastern  shepherd,  we  begin 
to  see  the  beauty  of  the  picture  which  the  homely 
name  gives  to  God  who  is  our  Shepherd. 

'•  The  Lord  is  my  shepherd."  Little  words  are 
sometimes  very  important.  Suppose  you  read  it 
thus,  "  The  Lord  is  a  shepherd ;  "  would  it  mean 
just  the  same  to  you  ?  The  name  shepherd  car- 
ries in  itself  all  its  wondrous  revealing  of  love, 
tenderness,  care,  safety,  providence,  as  a  picture 
of  God  ;  but  what  comfort  is  all  this  to  you,  so 
long  as  you  cannot  say,  ^'  The  Lord  is  w//  shep- 
hei-d  "  ?  Some  poor  children,  jjassing  a  beautiful 
home,  with  its  wealth  and  luxury,  may  admire  it, 
and  say,  "  What  a  lovely  home  !  "  But  how  much 
more  it  means  to  the  children  avIio  dwell  inside, 
who  say,  as  they  enjoy  the  good  things  in  the 
hoiise,  "  This  is  our  home !  "  It  makes  a  great 
difference  to  me  whether  a  good  man  is  a  worthy 
friend,  or  is  my  friend  ;  whether  God  is  a  Father, 
or  is  my  Father;  whether  Jesus  is  a  wonderful 
Saviour,  or  is  my  Saviour ;  whether  the  Lord  is 
a  Shepherd,  or  is  my  Shepherd. 


r 


BY   THE  STILL    ]VATEIiS.  11 

The  little  proiioiui  *•  luy "  is  the  golden  link 
which  binds  all  this  blessed  revealing  to  nie  and 
makes  it  all  mine  own.  The  old  preachers  talked 
much  about  appropiiiit ini;-  faith  —  that  is,  the  faith 
whicdi  Jiiakcs  Clirist  and  all  the  blessings  of  re- 
demption our  own.  -Icsus  would  be  the  Shepherd 
of  every  mail,  lie  invites  all  into  his  fold,  lie 
opens  the  gates  to  all.  He  gave  his  life  for  the 
world,  and  made  redemption  for  all  men.  Appro- 
jM-iating  faith  claims  the  blessing  for  itself,  accei)ts 
it,  and  makes  it  its  own.  It  is  a  joyous  moment 
when  we  can  say,  "  Christ  is  mine,  and  I  am  his ; "' 
"  The  Lord  is  my  shepherd." 

It  was  not  the  exclusive  privilege  of  David  to 
sa}',  "  The  Lord  is  my  shepherd."  It  is  our  privi- 
lege too.  Ileligion  is  an  individual  matter.  Each 
one  comes  to  CHirist  for  himself,  and  it  is  a  per- 
sonal relation  wliich  is  established  between  Christ 
and  each  Ixdieving  soul.  Every  one  has  all  of 
Christ  for  his  own.  just  as  truly  as  if  he  were  the 
only  believer.  Each  one  can  say,  "The  Lord  is  /n// 
shepherd.  He  maketh  /iw  to  lie  down  in  green  pas- 
tures. He  leadeth  me  beside  the  still  waters.  He 
restoreth  /n//  soul."'  If  we  can  say  this  little  word 
my  with  our  heart,  as  we  go  over  this  psalm, 
claiming  all  of  Cod  for  our  own,  then  have  we 
learned  the  great  lesson  whicli  l»inds  us  to  God 
and  God  to  us.     This  is  the  faith  that  saves.     It 


12  BY   THE  SriLL    WATEIiS. 

is  not  only  taking  Christ  and  all  the  blessings  of 
his  redemption  for  onr  own  ;  it  is  also  the  sur- 
render of  our  life,  with  all  its  powers  and  affec- 
tions, to  him.  It  means  infinite  blessing  from  God  ; 
but  it  means  also  unquestioning  obedience,  implicit 
following,  the  losing  of  our  life  in  Christ. 

Wonderful  is  the  first  assurance  of  this  psalm : 
"  I  shall  not  want."  We  need  not  try  to  define  or 
limit  this  word.  We  need  not  say  that  it  includes 
only  spiritual  wants.  Do  you  think  our  Shepherd 
would  provide  for  the  Avants  of  our  soul,  and  then 
pay  no  heed  to  our  common,  daily  physical  needs  ? 
The  assurance  means  that  all  our  wants  will  be 
supplied,  —  the  wants  of  our  body  and  the  wants 
of  our  soul.  St.  Paul  puts  the  same  assurance 
into  very  strong  words  in  one  of  his  epistles  : 
"My  God  shall  fulfil  every  need  of  yours  accord- 
ing to  his  riches  in  glory  in  Christ  Jesus."'  The 
same  promise  is  written  over  and  over  again  in 
the  Bible.  We  have  it  in  one  glorious  sentence 
of  the  Master's,  "  Seek  ye  first  the  kingdom  of 
God,  and  his  righteousness ;  and  all  these  things 
shall  be  added  unto  you."  We  need  have  only 
one  care,  that  we  put  the  first  thing  first,  —  faith- 
fulness  to  God.  Then  all  else  we  need  for  both 
worlds  will  be  supplied. 

Yet  Ave  must  make  sure  that  we  do  not  fail  in 
our  part.     God  will  never  fail  us ;  but  Ave  forget, 


BY    THE   STILL    WATERS.  13 

sometimes,  in  our  rcjuicing  over  such  an  assurance, 
that  we  must  fultil  our  part  if  we  would  claim  the 
divine  promise.  It  will  not  always  be  easy.  To- 
moirow  it  may  mean  a  distasteful  task,  a  disagree- 
able duty,  a  costly  sacrifice  for  one  who  does  not 
seem  worthy.  Life  is  full  of  sore  testings  of  our 
willingness  to  follow  the  Good  Shepherd.  We 
have  not  the  sliglitest  right  to  claim  this  assu- 
rance, unless  we  have  taken  Christ  as  the  guide  of 
our  life. 

We  must  notice  here,  too,  the  grounds  of  Da- 
vid's confidence.  He  was  very  rich  in  his  old  age, 
when  he  wrote  this  psalm  ;  but  he  does  not  say, 
'•  I  have  much  goods  laid  up,  vast  sums  of  gold, 
and  therefore  I  shall  not  want."  He  was  a  great 
king  and  a  mighty  coiKpuTor,  Xation  after  nation 
had  submitted  to  him,  and  now  the  whole  Eastern 
country  was  at  his  feet,  with  its  power  and  wealth  ; 
but  he  does  not  say,  "I  am  king  of  vast  realms; 
nuiny  peoples  own  my  sway ;  the  resources  of 
great  countries  are  at  my  disposal,  and  therefore 
I  shall  not  want."  His  confidence  was  in  some- 
thing securer  than  money  or  power.  "  The  Lord 
is  my  shepherd,  and  therefore  I  shall  not  want." 
To  have  God  is  better  than  to  have  all  the  world 
without  G(jd.  "  Tlie  world  passeth  away,"  "but 
the  word  of  God  abideth  forever."  When  we  can 
say,  "  God  is  mine,"  we  have  all  the  wealth  of  the 


14  BY   THE  STILL    WATEHS. 

universe  for  ours ;  for  "  the  eartli  is  tlie  Lord's, 
and  the  fuhiess  thereof,"  and  what  is  God's  is  ours. 
"  All  things  are  yours,  and  ye  are  Christ's." 
Blessed  are  all  who  can  say,  "  The  Lord  is  my 
shepherd."  They  can  sing  then  Avith  confidence, 
"  Therefore  I  shall  not  Avant." 

"  He  maketh  me  to  lie  down  in  green  pastures  : 
he  leadeth  me  beside  the  still  waters."  This  is 
a  picture  of  peace.  The  flock  has  been  fed  ;  and 
now  in  the  heat  of  the  day  the  shepherd  leads  his 
sheep  into  the  shelter,  and  makes  them  lie  down 
in  the  soft,  lush  grass,  by  the  edge  of  the  rippling 
streams,  to  rest  awhile. 

This  suggests  the  rest  into  which  our  Good 
Shepherd  leads  his  flock.  Life  is  not  all  toil. 
God  gives  us  many  quiet  resting-places  in  our  pil- 
grim way.  Xight  is  one  of  these,  when,  after  the 
day's  toil,  struggle,  and  exhaustion,  we  are  led 
aside,  and  the  curtains  are  drawn  to  shut  out  the 
noise,  and  he  giveth  his  beloved  sleep,  in  sleep 
giving  the  wonderful  blessings  of  renewal.  The 
Sabbath  is  another  of  these  quiet  resting-places. 
God  would  have  us  drop  our  Avorldly  tasks,  and 
have  a  day  for  the  refreshing  of  both  body  and 
soul.  It  is  a  sore  loss  when  for  any  reason  one 
lias  to  miss  his  Sal)l)ath  rest.  Few  things  in  the 
life  of  to-day  are  sadder  than  the  encroachments  of 
the  world's  bustle,  strife,  and  care  upon  Sabbath 


/;)'    THE   STILL    WATERS.  15 

quiet  and  peace.  Friendship's  trysts  are  also  quiet 
resting-places,  wliere  lieart  may  eomiiiune  with 
heart,  wliere  Jesus  comes,  too,  unseen,  and  gives 
his  blessing.  All  ordinances  of  Christian  worship 
—  seasons  of  prayer  and  devotiDii,  Inuirs  of  com- 
munion with  God  —  are  quiet  resting-places. 

Far  more  than  Ave  are  apt  to  realize  do  w'e  need 
these  silent  times  in  our  busy  life,  needing  them 
all  the  more  the  busier  the  life  may  be.  Mary  sat 
at  Jesus'  feet,  and  found  green  pastures  and  still 
waters  there,  and  grew  into  marvellous  sweetness 
of  life  and  s})irit.  John  lived  near  the  heart  of 
the  Master ;  and  abiding  iu  that  quiet  resting-place, 
he  went  out  w^ith  shining  face,  and  became  a  trans- 
figured disciple.  We  all  need  more  quiet  rest  in 
God's  green  pastures.  "We  woidd  1)e  ])etter  Chris- 
tians if  we  had  more  such  rest  as  these  words  sug- 
gest. 

We  may  notice  the  form  of  the  words:  "He 
maketh  me  to  lie  down  in  green  pastures."  Some- 
times we  are  unwilling  to  rest.  The  world  draws 
on  our  hearts,  and  we  would  go  on  in  its  aml)iti()ns 
without  resting  at  God's  feet.  Even  some  Chris- 
tian people  are  so  bu.sy  with  their  woik  or  with 
their  pleasure,  that  they  do  not  get  time  to  ]>ray, 
or  even  to  sit  down  for  a  quiet  half-hour  with 
the  r)il)le.  They  do  not  realize,  in  thus  depriv- 
ing themselves  of  the  privilege  of  communion  with 


16  BY   THE  STILL    ]VATERS. 

God,  that  they  are  starving  their  souls,  labor- 
ing only  for  the  meat  that  perisheth.  Then  some- 
times God  makes  them  lie  down  to  rest  a  while, 
that  they  may  be  renewed  in  spirit.  Loving  them 
too  much  to  encourage  their  worldly  absorption, 
he  compels  them  to  go  aside  to  get  the  quiet  that 
they  so  much  need.  It  may  be  in  a  sick-room. 
It  is  not  pleasant,  not  agreeable,  and  sometimes 
they  chafe  and  repine.  But  they  Avould  better  ac- 
cept the  Shepherd's  guidance,  even  when  it  leads 
them  into  the  darkened  chamber  of  pain,  for  there 
they  will  find  green  pastures.  We  always  may 
be  sure  of  this.  Whenever  the  Good  Shepherd 
makes  us  lie  down,  there  is  blessing  for  us ;  and 
if  we  submit  and  trust,  we  shall  be  enriched  in 
our  spiritual  life,  and  prepared  for  better  service 
afterward. 

A  young  Christian  who  had  been  for  many 
weeks  in  a  hospital,  undergoing  a  painful  opera- 
tion and  then  slowly  recovering,  wrote  me  in  the 
days  of  her  convalescence,  "  I  have  found  my  lit- 
tle white  bed  here  in  the  hospital  a  bit  of  God's 
green  pasture."  Not  only  had  it  proved  a  place 
of  rest  and  peace  to  her,  but  also  a  place  of  spir- 
itual refreshment. 

"He  restoreth  my  soul."  In  several  ways  does 
the  shepherd  restore  his  sheep.  If  one  wanders 
away,  he  goes  out  after  it,  and  seeks  it  till  he  finds 


m'    TIIK  STILL    WATERS  17 

it,  i-e.storin;4  it  to  the  slieltev  of  the  fold.  If  one 
faints  and  grows  sick  by  the  way,  in  the  hard  jour- 
ney or  the  burning  heat,  the  sliepherd  does  not 
leave  it  to  die,  but  takes  it  u})  in  his  arms,  and  car- 
ries it  homo,  restoring  it  to  the  fohl.  If  a  shee}) 
is  hurt,  torn  liy  a  wihl  beast  or  injured  l)y  acci- 
dent, the  sheplierd  tends  its  wounds  until  they  are 
healed. 

All  this  suggests  how  our  Good  Shepherd  re- 
stores our  souls.  Sometimes  we  Avander  away. 
It  is  very  easy  to  drift  off  from  Christ.  The 
drifting  is  often  unconscious  —  we  do  not  know 
that  we  arc  losing  our  first  love,  our  interest  in 
prayer,  our  ccmscientiousness  in  obedience  and  ser- 
vice, and  l)y  and  by  we  are  far  off.  Sometimes 
it  is  a  cherished  sin  which  eats  out  our  heart-life. 
Sometimes  it  is  a  worldly  companionship  that 
draws  us  away,  loosening  the  bonds  Avhich  bound 
us  to  Christ.  Sometimes  it  is  an  absorbing  busi- 
ness which  leaves  no  room  for  God.  Or  it  may  be 
the  cares  of  this  world  which  choke  the  word  and 
quench  the  Spirit.  W'c  need  often  to  have  our 
soul  restored,  (piickened,  revived,  or  we  should 
never  get  safe  home  through  this  evil  world. 

Then,  what  sold  is  not  sometimes  hurt,  wounded, 
torn,  —  pei'luips  by  sorrow,  perha^JS  by  the  wild 
beasts  of  temptation  ?  A\'o  all  know  how  the 
Good  Shepherd   restores   the   hurt  life.     He   is  a 


18  BY   THE  STILL    WATEBS. 

most  skilful  physician.  He  binds  np  the  broken 
spirit.  Sin's  wounds  he  heals.  We  remember 
how  David's  own  soul  was  restored  after  he  had 
fallen.  The  terrible  hurts  were  so  healed  that  he 
was  a  better  man  afterward  than  he  had  been 
before.  Sin  is  a  fearful  thing.  It  wounds  the 
soul,  and  no  hand  but  Christ's  can  restore  it. 
But  if  we  put  our  hurt  life  into  his  hand,  he  will 
give  healing.  What  millions  of  sin's  woundings 
our  Good  Shepherd  has  cured  ! 

Then,  when  sorrow  has  left  the  heart  broken, 
it  is  only  the  Good  Shepherd  who  can  restore  it. 
We  may  put  all  sorrow's  wounds  into  his  hand. 
He  is  most  gentle,  and  his  hand  is  infinitely  skil- 
ful. He  is  a  wonderful  comforter.  No  human 
hand  can  heal  a  heart  that  is  bruised,  but  the 
hand  of  Jesus  has  infinite  delicacy  and  skill. 

"  The  broken  wing  of  the  swallow 
He  binds  in  the  middle  air." 

"  He  restoreth  my  soul."  The  end  of  all  Christ's 
restorings  will  be  the  putting  back  of  the  defaced 
divine  image  on  the  life  of  every  one  who  trusts 
in  him  and  follows  him.  "  It  doth  not  yet  ap- 
pear what  we  shall  be."  God's  work  in  us  is 
not  yet  finished  while  we  stay  in  this  world. 
"  But  we  know  that,  when  he  shall  appear,  we 
shall  be  like  him." 


nV   THE   STILL    ]\'ATKIiS.  19 

"  He  leadeth  me  in  the  paths  of  righteousness 
for  his  name's  sake."'  The  Eastern  shepherd  does 
not  drive  his  shee[)  —  lie  leads  them  ;  he  goes 
before  them,  and  llicv  follow  liiiii.  Ife  always 
has  a  purpose  in  his  leading-,  lie  knows  where 
the  bits  of  green  })asture  are,  and  he  would  lead 
his  Hock  to  these.  The  way  may  be  rough,  but 
it  is  the  right  way  to  tue  pasture.  "Paths  of 
righteousness "'  may  not  be  straight  paths ;  but 
they  are  paths  that  lead  somewhere  —  to  the  right 
place.  ]\rany  desert  paths  are  illusive.  They 
start  out  clear  and  plain,  but  soon  llicy  are  lost 
in  the  sands.  They  go  nowliere.  lint  the  paths 
of  righteousness  have  a  goal  to  which  they  un- 
erringly lead. 

It  is  one  of  the  sweetest  revealings  of  Chris- 
tian life  that  the  Good  Hhephei-d  always  leads 
his  own.  lie  does  not  drive  them.  We  are  not 
his  sheep  if  we  do  not  follow  him.  lie  putteth 
forth  the  sheep,  and  goeth  before  them.  lie 
calletli  his  own  sheep  by  name,  and  leadeth  them 
out.  In  many  ways  does  lie  lead.  The  mother 
gives  the  iirst  divine  guidance  to  the  little  child 
that  looks  n[)  into  her  face  with  love  and  trust. 
Then,  along  llie  years,  other  liands  aie  reacdied 
out  to  guide.  We  do  not  know  how  mu(di  of 
God's  goodness  comes  to  us  in  human  liearts  and 
lives.     Sometimes    it-    is    a    friend's   wise    counsel 


20  BY   THE   STILL    WATERS. 

that  you  find  just  the  word  which  makes  the  way 
plain  for  you.  Sometimes  the  guidance  comes  in 
a  sermon  or  in  a  book.  Or  it  may  be  in  some 
simple  experience  of  every-day  life.  A  young 
man  in  great  perplexity  picked  up  a  scrap  of 
an  old  newspaper  which  he  found  on  the  street, 
and  on  it  read  words  that  made  his  way  clear 
to  him.  Or  the  leading  comes  in  a  gentle  friend- 
ship, with  its  quiet  influence,  or  in  a  providence 
Avhich  makes  duty  very  plain.  In  some  way,  at 
least,  our  Shepherd  will  always  lead  us  if  we 
are  willing  to  be  led.  The  trouble  too  often  is, 
not  in  trying  to  learn  the  way  we  should  take, 
but  in  unwillingness  to  go  as  our  Good  Shepherd 
would  lead  us.  We  chafe  and  resist,  and  re- 
fuse to  follow.  AVe  must  be  willing  and  obe- 
dient if  we  would  have  the  divine  guidance.  We 
must  trust  God's  wisdom  rather  than  our  own. 
We  must  commit  our  way  to  him  with  absolute 
confidence  and  unquestioning  faith,  following  his 
guidance  cheerfully,  sweetly,  wherever  he  may 
take  us. 

"  He  chose  this  path  for  thee, 
Though  well  he  knew  sharp  thorns  would  pierce  thy  feet, 

Knew  how  the  brambles  would  obstruct  the  way, 
Knew  all  the  hidden  dangers  thou  wouldst  meet, 
Knew  how  thy  faith  would  falter  day  by  day  ; 
And  still  the  whisper  echoed,   'Yes,  I  see 
This  path  is  best  for  thee.' 


BY   THE   .STILL    HATE  US.  21 

He  chose  this  path  for  thee  ; 
What  needst  thou  more  ?     This  sweeter  triiili  to  know, 

Tluit  all  along  these  strange,  bewildering  ways, 
O'er  rocky  steeps  and  where  dark  rivers  How, 
His  loving  arms  will  bear  thee  all  the  days. 
A  few  steps  more,  anil  thou  thyself  shall  see 
This  path  is  best  for  thee." 

"  Yea,  tliough  I  walk  tliroiigh  the  valley  of  the 
shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil :  for  thou  art 
with  ine ;  thy  I'od  and  thy  staff  they  comfort  nie." 
No  doubt  tlies(!  words  have  lij4hted  more  souls 
into  the  vall(\v  of  death  than  any  other  one  verse 
in  the  wliole  JJible.  I  shall  attempt  no  explana- 
tion of  them  ;  they  need  none.  Exposition  only 
mars  their  beauty. 

Probably  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death  is, 
more  correctly,  the  valley  of  deep  darkness.  One 
who  is  familiar  with  the  country  in  which  the 
Psalms  were  written  readily  understands  the  pic- 
ture which  was  in  the  writcu^'s  mind.  Some  of 
the  valleys  or  gorges  are  so  dee})  as  to  be  almost 
utterly  dark.  It  is  necessary  ofttimes  to  lead  the 
sheep  through  these  gorges  to  get  them  to  some 
bit  of  sweet  ptisture  which  lies  beyond.  Not  only 
was  tliere  dreary  gloom  in  these  narrow  valleys, 
but  often  in  llicir  dafk  siiles  wild  beasts  had  llieir 
lairs.  Thus  IIh'v  would  become  indeed  valleys 
of  the  shadow  of  death  for  llic  sheep,  were  it 
not     i'or    the    presence    of    the    shepherd.       These 


22  BY   THE   STILL    WATERS. 

gorges  fitly  represent  every  dreary  and  perilous 
way  through  which  God's  children  may  have  to 
pass  —  most  fitly  of  all,  the  way  of  death,  through 
which  every  believer  must  go  to  reach  heaven's 
blessed  pasture  lands  which  lie  beyond. 

The  presence  of  the  shepherd  took  away  all  fear 
from  the  sheep.  He  carried  both  rod  and  staff,  — 
the  rod,  a  heavy  club  to  defend  the  sheep  against 
enemies ;  and  the  staff,  a  stick  to  lean  upon,  and 
to  use  also  in  lifting  up  au}^  of  his  sheep  or  lambs 
which  might  fall  into  peril.  These  instruments  of 
defence  and  help  comforted  the  sheep  by  assuring 
them  that  their  shepherd  would  fight  their  battles, 
and  bring  them  safely  through. 

Sometimes  God's  sheep,  in  their  experience  in 
this  world,  must  pass  through  just  such  deep,  dark 
valleys  ;  and  yet  they  need  not  be  afraid,  the  Shep- 
herd is  with  them.  Not  only  is  he  with  them, 
but  he  is  able  and  willing  to  defend  them  against 
all  enemies,  as  well  as  to  guide  and  help  them 
throiigh.  This  assurance  comforts  them.  The 
presence  of  the  Shepherd  takes  away  all  fear. 

Life  is  full  of  illustrations.  A  child  cries  out 
in  the  night  in  terror.  It  is  afraid  in  the  dark- 
ness. The  mother  speaks,  thus  revealing  her  pres- 
ence ;  and  the  child  is  comforted,  and  in  a  moment 
sleeps  in  peace.  A  timid  one  is  afraid  to  go 
through  some  gloomy  wa}-.     One  brave  and  strong 


liV   THE  STILL    W  ATE  US.  23 

and  unafraid,  says,  ■•  1  will  .^o  with  you;  and  all 
fear  vanishes,  and  the  timid  heart  becomes  bold. 
A  poor  woman  in  a  London  hospital  was  tohl  that 
she  must  nndcri^^o  a  }>;iiiil'iil  operation.  She  was 
asked  if  she  was  willing  to  submit  to  it.  After  a 
moment's  hesitation,  she  said,  "Yes,  I  can  endure 
it  if  Lady  Augusta  Stanley  Avill  sit  by  me  and 
hold  my  hand."  "  I  will  fear  no  t-vil  :  for  thou 
art   witli   me."' 

We  know  how  the  presence  of  a  sti'ong.  tried, 
ti'usted  friend  comforts  us  in  any  jilacc  of  loneli- 
ness or  daiigci'.  W'cie  you  ever  in  a  strange  city, 
Avliere,  amid  all  the  throngs  on  the  streets  you  saw 
no  face  you  had  ever  seen  l)efore,  none  in  w  hich 
you  perceived  any  token  of  recognition'.'  You 
were  oppressed  by  a  dreridful  sense  of  loneliness. 
Then  suddeidy  you  met  a  friend,  one  you  had 
known  long,  and  in  whom  y(»u  hail  confidence. 
What  a  sense  of  comfort  this  friend's  presence 
gave  you  !  Instantly  your  feeling  of  loneliness 
vanished.  You  wei-e  no  longer  afraid.  This  is 
the  comfort  which  is  described  in  the  wonderful 
words  of  this  jisalm  :  ••  I  will  I'ear  no  evil,  for 
thou  ai't   with   me."' 

An  old  Scotch  shepherd  found  much  comfort, 
wlien  dying,  in  the  words  of  his  jjastor,  wlio 
said,  "  Don't  you  know  tliat  sometimes,  when  you 
were  driving  the  sheep  through  the  valleys,  there 


24  BY   THE   STILL    WATERS. 

would  be  shadows  all  about  you,  while  there  was 
bright  sunshine  on  the  hills  above  ?  You  are  in 
the  shadows  now,  but  there's  sunshine  on  beyond." 
''Oh!  that  is  good,"  said  the  shepherd.  "1  never 
saw  it  that  way  before.  '  Though  I  walk  through 
the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no 
evil :  for  thou  art  with  nie.'  Over  yonder  on  the 
heavenly  hilltops  the  sun  is  shining." 

Shadows  here,  but  sunshine  beyond.  That  is 
the  meaning  of  the  valley.  Only  for  a  moment 
shadow,  mystery,  strangeness,  and  we  are  walking 
throvgh  it,  —  and  then  light,  glory,  home,  Christ's 
f ace,  ^ — forever  with  the  Lord.  Let  no  believer 
ever  be  afraid.  Even  in  the  darkness,  or  what 
seems  from  this  side,  as  we  enter,  to  be  darkness, 
we  shall  find  our  great  Companion. 

"  Thou  art  with  me,  with  rod  and  staff,  and  I 
shall  be  comforted."  AVe  need  not  be  afraid  in  the 
valley ;  for  Jesus  will  be  with  us,  and  he  has  all 
power  and  all  grace.  He  has  overcome  the  Avorld  ; 
and  in  his  hands  are  the  nail-prints,  reminding  us 
both  of  his  victory  in  fighting  our  battles,  and  his 
love  in  giving  himself  for  us. 

When  Dr.  Charles  Hodge  was  on  his  deathbed, 
he  repeated  over  and  over  again  a  hymn  which 
Mrs.  Weiss,  daughter  of  Archbishop  Whately, 
wrote  during  her  last  sickness.  Two  stanzas  of 
the  hymn  run  thus  :  — 


BY   THE  STILL    WATERS.  25 

"  Dearest  Saviour,  go  not  from  me  ; 
Let  thy  presence  still  abide: 
Look  in  tenderest  love  upon  me  — 
I  am  sheltering  at  thy  side, 

Doarost  Saviour, 
WIio  for  suffering  sinners  died. 

Botli  iiiiiif  arms  are  clasped  about  thee. 
And  my  head  is  on  thy  breast'. 

For  my  weary  soul  has  found  thee 
Such  a  perfect,  perfect  rest. 

Dearest  Saviour, 
Now  I  know  tliat  I  am  blest.'* 

"  Tliou  preparest  a  table  before  me  in  the  pres 
ence  of  mine  enemies."'  We  are  iisually  told  that 
the  shepherd  tignire  is  dropped,  and  another  scene 
inlroiUiced,  at  this  jioiiit  in  the  psalm.  But  Dr. 
George  Adam  Smith  tells  us  that  there  is  no  need 
to  cut  the  psalm  in  two  in  this  way.  The  last  two 
verses,  he  says,  are  as  pastoral  as  the  first  four. 
"  If  these  show  us  the  shepherd  Avith  his  sheep 
upon  the  pastures,  those  follow  him,  shepherd 
still,  to  where  in  his  tent  he  dispenses  the  desert's 
hospitality  to  some  poor  fugitive  from  blood." 
The  shepherd's  tent  in  the  wilderness  was  a  little 
sanctuary,  where  the  hunted  man  was  sure  of  shel- 
ter, where  "  every  wanderer,  w^hatever  his  charac- 
ter or  his  past  miglit  be,  was  received  as  a  '  guest 
of  God,'  —  such  is  the  beautiful  name  which  they 
still  give  him,  —  furnished  with  food,  and  kept  in- 


2b  Br   THE   STILL    WATERS. 

violable,  his  host  becoming  responsible  for  his 
safety." 

It  was  this  custom,  Dr.  Smith  thinks,  which 
was  in  the  writer's  mind  when  he  composed  the 
last  two  verses  of  the  psabn.  "  Thou  spreadest 
before  me  a  table  in  the  very  midst  of  my  ene- 
mies." We  need  more  than  shepherd  care  ;  we 
need  also  mercy  and  grace.  Sin  and  its  curse 
drive  us  into  tlie  wilderness.  Our  past  is  full  of 
enemies  who  haunt  us  —  the  sins  we  have  com- 
mitted. Our  own  heart  contains  relentless  foes  of 
God,  who  give  us  no  rest.  Satan  watches  ever  to 
destroy  us. 

But  there  is  a  place  of  refuge  from  all  these  pur- 
suing foes.  According  to  the  above  interpreta- 
tion, the  shepherd's  tent  is  a  picture  of  the  cross,  a 
place  of  shelter  for  the  sinner  hunted  by  his  sins. 
"We  must  not  forget  that  it  was  the  Shepherd  him- 
self Avho  died  on  the  cross  for  us.  "  The  good 
shepherd  layeth  down  his  life  for  the  sheep."  We 
have  in  the  cross  not  only  a  place  of  refuge  within 
which  no  enemies  can  pursue  us,  but  under  its 
shadow  we  have  also  divine  hospitality.  "  Thou 
preparest  a  table  before  me  in  the  presence  of 
mine  enemies."  A  man  fleeing  from  a  storm  ran 
under  a  great  tree.  There  he  found  shelter.  But 
he  found  also  fruits  which  the  storm  had  brought 
down  from  the  tree,  —  food  for  his  hunger,  and  a 


BY    THE  STILL    WATERS.  27 

spring  of  sweet,  pure  water,  at  which  he  quenclied 
his  thirst.  So  in  the  shadow  of  the  cross  the 
friend  of  Christ  finds  not  only  refuge  from  all 
enemies,  but  also  pi'ovision  for  all  his  wants. 

Xot  from  our  sins  only,  hut  from  all  danger  of 
whatever  kind  do  we  have  shelter  in  Christ.  The 
picture  of  the  ta))le  spread  in  the  wilderness  in 
the  presence  of  enemies  is  true  of  the  believer  in 
every  sense.  As  the  guest  of  God  he  is  safe  from 
every  foe.  St.  Paul  puts  it  in  very  strong  words 
in  the  eighth  of  Romans :  ''  If  God  is  for  us,  who 
is  against  us  ?  .  .  .  Who  shall  lay  anything  to  the 
charge  of  God's  elect  ?  It  is  God  that  justifieth  ; 
who  is  he  that  shall  condemn  ?  It  is  Christ  Jesus 
that  died,  yea  rather,  that  was  raised  from  the  dead, 
who  is  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  who  also  maketh 
intercession  for  us.  Who  shall  separate  us  from 
the  love  of  Christ  ?  shall  tribulation,  or  anguish, 
or  persecution,  or  famine,  or  nakedness,  or  peril, 
or  sword  ?  As  it  is  written,  For  thy  sake  we  are 
killed  all  the  day  long ;  we  are  accounted  as  sheep 
for  the  slaughter.  Nay,  in  all  these  things  we 
are  more  than  conquerors  through  him  that  loved 
us." 

•'Thou  anointcst  my  head  with  oil.''  Anointing 
the  head  was  one  of  the  tokens  of  hospitality  in 
the  East.  Jesus  reminded  Simon  that  he  had 
failed  as  host   in   the    honors    shown    to   him   as 


28  BY  THE  STILL    WATERS. 

guest :  "  My  head  with  oil  thou  didst  not  anoint." 
Such  anointing  was  the  highest  mark  of  respect 
that  could  be  paid.  Only  the  most  distinguished 
guests  were  thus  honored.  When  David  uses 
these  words  here  he  means  that  he  had  been 
treated  by  the  Lord  as  a  most  highly  honored 
guest. 

It  seems  strange  to  human  reason  that  the  God 
of  heaven  should  so  lavish  his  love  and  kindness 
upon  sinners  of  a  mortal  race.  We  are  apt  to 
regard  such  words  as  exaggerations.  But  the 
Bible  abounds  in  expressions  of  the  same  charac- 
ter. When  the  prodigal  was  al)out  to  return  to 
his  father,  he  said  that  he  would  ask  for  a  ser- 
vant's place  because  he  was  not  worthy  to  be 
called  a  son.  Yet  when  he  reached  home  he  was 
received,  not  as  a  servant,  but  as  a  son.  Jesus 
said,  "  I  call  you  not  servants,  ...  I  have  called 
you  friends."  The  beloved  disciple  exclaimed, 
''Behold  what  manner  of  love  the  Father  hath 
bestowed  upon  us,  that  we  should  be  called  chil- 
dren of  God  :  and  such  we  are."  No  words  can 
describe  the  honor  and  the  blessedness  of  him 
who  has  become  God's  child  by  receiving  Jesus 
Christ.  The  best  things  of  divine  grace  and  glory 
are  his.  Being  a  child  of  God,  he  is  also  an  heir, 
an  heir  of  God,  a  joint  heir  with  Christ.  It  is 
past    comprehension,   this   wonderful    loving-kind 


BY    THE   STILL    WATERS.  29 

ness  of  God  that  takes  iis  in  all  our  unwortliiiiess, 
l)rii),L(.s  lis  into  closest  divine  fellowship,  and  puts 
upon-  us  the  highest  honors  of  the  universe. 

"  Not  wortliy,  Lord,  to  yallicr  up  the  (riiiiih.s 

Witli  trembling  liund  that  from  thy  tahh-  fall, 
A  weary,  heavy-laden  sinner  comes 

To  plead  thy  promise,  and  obey  thy  eall. 

I  am  not  worthy  to  be  thought  thy  child, 
Nor  sit  the  last  and  lowest  at  thy  board  ; 

Too  long  a  wanderer  and  too  oft  beguiled, 
I  only  ask  one  reconciling  word. 

I  hear  thy  voice  ;  thou  bid'st  me  come  and  rest  ; 

I  come,  I  kneel,  I  clasp  thy  pierced  feet  ; 
Thou  bid'st  me  take  my  place,  a  welcome  guest, 

Among  thy  saints,  and  of  thy  banquet  eat. 

ily  praise  can  only  breathe  itself  in  prayer, 
My  prayer  can  only  lose  itself  in  thee  ; 

Dwell  thou  forever  in  my  heart,  and  there, 

Lord,  let  me  sup  with  thee  ;  sup  thou  with  me." 

We  may  think  of  anointing  also  as  an  emblem 
of  spirittitil  ]»lessing.  Oil  Avas  a  symbol  of  the 
grace  of  (Jod.  Jesus  was  anointed  at  liis  l)aptism, 
and  went  forth  fidl  of  grace  and  truth.  If  we 
yield  ourselves  to  God,  we,  too,  shall  receive  a 
heavenly  iUKtinting.  Then  we  shall  be  tilled  with 
God.  The  beauty  of  the  Lord  our  Ciod  shall  l)e 
upon  us.  Our  faces  shall  shine  with  the  shining 
of    holy   peace.     Our   words,  shall   have    in    them 


30  BV   THE  STILL    WATERS. 

divine  sweetness  and  grace.  Anointed  for  God, 
our  life  shall  be  a  benediction  to  every  one  it 
touches.  Our  shadow,  as  we  pass  along  the 
streets,  shall  bless  those  on  whom  it  falls.  We 
shall  be  God's  saving  health  in  this  world,  diffus- 
ing the  influences  of  heaven  amid  human  sorrow 
and  sin. 

"Surely  goodness  and  mercy  shall  follow  me 
all  the  days  of  my  life  :  and  I  will  dwell  in  the 
house  of  the  Lord  forever."  This  reads  like  a 
line  out  of  an  angel's  life  in  heaven.  "  Goodness 
and  mercy  ...  all  the  daj's."  Can  that  mean 
here,  in  this  world  ?  What !  in  the  life  of  toil, 
disappointment,  loss,  sorrow,  and  tears,  which  we 
must  all  live  on  earth  ?  Surely  this  must  be  oidy 
a  poet's  dream  of  life.  No;  it  is  the  life  of  faith 
and  trust  in  this  world.  Toil,  trouble,  trial,  be- 
long to  life  as  men  see  it,  but  in  faith's  realm  this 
is  the  picture  always  —  "  Goodness  and  mercy  all 
the  days."  Even  in  sorrow  and  loss  there  is  good- 
ness, —  always  there  is  mercy.  Thus  it  is  unto 
the  end,  and  then — '-I  will  dwell  in  the  house 
of  the  Lord  forever." 

"  There  come  new  cares  and  sorrows 

Every  year. 
The  ghosts  of  dead  loves  haunt  ns, 
The  ghosts  of  changed  friends  taunt  us. 
And  disappointments  daunt  us 

Every  year. 


liV    THE  STILL    WATERS.  31 

Too  true  !  Lite's  shores  are  shifting 

Every  year ; 
And  we  are  seaward  drifting 

Every  year ; 
Old  phices  changing  fret  us, 
Tlie  living  more  forget  us, 
There  are  fewer  to  regret  us 

Every  year. 

Hut   till-   inuT  life  draws  nigher 

Every  year ; 
And  its  morning  star  climlis  higher 

Every  year  ; 
Eartli's  hold  on  us  grows  slighter, 
And  the  heavy  burthen  lighter, 
And  the  dawn  immortal  brighter, 

Every  year." 

The  ending  of  tlie  story  of  this  life  ot  blessed- 
ness is  not  in  this  world  ;  it  is  in  heaven.  Whether 
David's  thought  reached  over  into  the  eternal 
home,  we  cannot  surely  tell.  The  truth  of  ini- 
niortaiity  was  not  understood  then  as  it  is  now. 
We  have  fuller  revelation,  and  we  know  that  the 
believer  shall  indeed  dwell  in  the  house  of  the 
Lord  forever,  ^^'e  have  the  finishing  of  the  i)ic- 
ture  in  the  book  of  The  Kevelation.  ''Therefore 
are  they  bef(jre  the  tlirdiie  of  (iod  ;  and  they  serve 
him  day  and  night  in  his  tenii)le:  and  he  that 
sitteth  on  tlie  throne  shall  spread  his  tabernacle 
over  them.  'I'hey  shall  hunger  no  more,  neither 
tliirst  any  more  ;  neither  shall  the  sun  strike  upon 


32 


BY   THE   STILL    WATERS. 


them,  nor  any  lieat :  for  the  Lanilj  wliich  is  in  tlie 
midst  of  the  throne  sliall  be  tlieir  shepherd,  and 
shall  guide  them  unto  fountains  of  waters  of  life  : 
and  God  shall  wipe  away  every  tear  from  their 
eyes." 


^ 


DATE  DUE 


Date  Due 


^(Jb.  il3ir.**tt'r 


,i"«flMiiiiii>fc>jita 


Seerrrr^ 


IN  U.  S.  A. 


_agggr«<nttigM 


BS1450 .23.M64  ^       . 

By  the  still  waters;  a  meditation  on  the 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary-Speer  Library 


1    1012  00012  3952 


